2 Reasons Veterinary Care is Expensive

Hi. I’m Dr. Fiona Caldwell; I’m a veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital. I’m answering questions from Pets Best Facebook page today. This question comes from Joe, who asks: Why are you so expensive?

This is a great question. Veterinarians, I think, deal with the misconception that veterinary medicine is overpriced. We go into this profession because we love animals, and regardless of how big our hearts are, at the end of the day, veterinary medicine does cost money. I think there’s a couple big reasons why it is that it’s so expensive.

The number one reason is, I think, the quality of the medicine. We are able to do MRI, CT scans, X-rays, orthopedic surgeries; basically human-grade medicine, and it’s at a fraction of the cost of human medicine.

I think it’s also important to understand that regardless of how much we love animals and are committed to trying to give everybody the best care, we are a business. We have to pay rent; we have to pay for our overhead, and our pharmacy. We pay the salaries of our staff. All of this factors into the cost of the care. Keeping in mind that veterinary medicine is so expensive, and knowing that it gets you that top-of-the-line care and can really help keep your pet healthy, I think this is a great time to talk about pet insurance. By getting a pet insurance policy on your pet, you can ensure that they’re able to take advantage of those advances in veterinary care to keep them really healthy.

If you guys of questions for me, feel free to post them below or at Pets Best Facebook page.

2 comments

I know that the medicine that the doctors get comes in quantity and cost less than is put on the customer at higher price. Plus MRI, CT scans and ex rays after a few patients they are paid for. Charging $35 – $50 a office visit add the patients that come in a day? I have work with Vets, plus father was a Vet for 60 yrs.

Darla, my dear I do not think you will get a reply!
If you can believe this one! It cost me more to have my dogs tooth pulled than when I had one pulled at the dentist. Why, beats me! And YES I do understand overhead! We are in business too. And no matter how much we love our clients we do have overhead. No we are NOT on salary, pay for our own medical insurance, including our pets, no paid holidays, no IRA, etc. We are realtors and yes everyone wants a discount. Why, have not figured that out yet! I wonder if I went to their business would I get a discount and how much!

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We provide stories and information pet parents need to know. Our staff of writers consists of veterinarians, behaviorists, and other pet experts covering topics from pet health, to training and behavior, to breed guides, and more!

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